York substitute Jon Parkin's fourth goal of the season earned the home side a fortunate victory against Darlington at Bootham Crescent.

Lee Nogan hooked the ball into the box and, with his back to goal, Parkin fired home a shot from 15 yards which Andy Collett could only palm into the inside of his right-hand post on 73 minutes.

It was tough luck on the Quakers who beat the offside trap on a couple of occasions but Richard Hodgson and Ian Clark were denied by York goalkeeper Alan Fettis at the start of each half.

Former Minsterman Barry Conlon completely fluffed an open goal from six yards after a great run and cross from Ryan Valentine down the left.

The visitors also lost skipper Craig Liddle to a serious-looking injury after 58 minutes.

The influential centre-back was stretchered off following a poor challenge by Tom Cowan, who was booked as a result.

Parkin, who came on for the injured Alex Mathie before the break to rapturous applause, forced a fingertip save from Collett with a rattling drive five minutes from time.

The former Barnsley striker could have added to his tally in injury time but he blazed over from just outside the area.

York: Fettis, Smith, Brass, Hobson, Edmondson, Bullock, Brackstone, Cowan, Duffield, Nogan, Mathie. Subs: Parkin, Potter, Howarth, Carvalho, Yalcin.

Darlington: Collett, Valentine, Clarke, Liddle, Betts, Hadland, Ford, Maddison, Hodgson, Clark, Conlon. Subs: Naylor, Wainwright, McGurk, Nicholls, Fenton.

Referee: A Hall (West Midlands).